Air-zinc

Air-zinc primary cells and batteries

BIS QCO APPLICABLE · ISI MARK SCHEME · IS 8144 · CPCB OVERLAY

HSN 8506 60 00 (air-zinc primary cells and batteries) is covered by a Bureau of Indian Standards Quality Control Order. Conformity to IS 8144:2018 is mandatory under the ISI Mark Scheme with effect from 25 May 1987. Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation administered by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Battery Waste Management Rules applies as a separate customs-clearance overlay.

What this is

HSN code

8506 60 00

Chapter

85 · Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof

BIS QCO

Applicable · ISI Mark Scheme · CM/L required

Indian Standard

IS 8144:2018 · effective 25-05-1987

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

BISBIS·Bureau of Indian Standards

CPCBCPCB·Central Pollution Control Board

Compliance steps

1
Source only from a Bureau of Indian Standards CM/L-licensed manufacturer holding a current licence against IS 8144:2018 for multipurpose dry batteries. Verify the supplier's CM/L number, licensed product scope, and manufacturing facility on the BIS online register before placing the purchase order.
IS 8144:2018 · S.O. 516(E) dated 25-05-1987 issued by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Supplies · BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
2
Ensure every cell or battery bears the ISI mark and the supplier's CM/L number under Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018. Marking must appear on the product itself; packaging-only marking does not satisfy the statutory requirement.
Scheme-I of Schedule-II to the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018 · Notification F.No.BS/11/11/2018 dated 04-06-2018 of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
3
Obtain Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation from the Central Pollution Control Board under the Battery Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2023 before import. MSMED-registered micro enterprises are exempt from EPR. Quote the EPR certificate reference on the bill of entry.
Battery Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2023 · S.O. 3984(E) dated 22-08-2022 · S.O. 4669(E) dated 25-10-2023
4
Quote the supplier's BIS CM/L number and the CPCB EPR authorisation reference on the bill of entry. Customs verifies both against the issuing portals in real time; either absent, expired, or scope-mismatched triggers consignment detention.
BIS Act, 2016 · Customs Act, 1962 · S.O. 3984(E) dated 22-08-2022

A word of counsel

The single most common error on this tariff line is assuming the EPR obligation under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 covers battery imports and overlooking the distinct EPR certificate requirement under the Battery Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2023. The two regimes are separate — G.S.R. 801(E) and G.S.R. 338(E) govern e-waste, while S.O. 3984(E) and S.O. 4669(E) govern battery waste — and presenting an e-waste EPR authorisation in place of a battery-waste EPR certificate at customs results in detention regardless of a clean BIS CM/L.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 8506 60 00 require BIS certification?

Yes. Air-zinc primary cells and batteries require ISI Mark Scheme certification against IS 8144:2018; import is permitted only from manufacturers holding a current BIS CM/L licence covering the relevant product scope and facility.

Is Extended Producer Responsibility authorisation required separately from BIS QCO compliance?

Yes. EPR authorisation under the Battery Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2023 is administered by the Central Pollution Control Board and is independent of the BIS ISI Mark obligation. Micro enterprises as defined in the MSME Development Act, 2006 are exempt.

Does the EPR requirement under the E-Waste Management Rules also satisfy the battery-waste EPR obligation?

No. The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 (G.S.R. 801(E)) and the Battery Waste Management Rules (S.O. 3984(E), S.O. 4669(E)) are distinct frameworks; a separate battery-waste EPR certificate from the Central Pollution Control Board is required.

Does a single CM/L licence cover all air-zinc battery sizes and configurations from the same manufacturer?

No. A CM/L licence is scope-specific by product variant, cell size, and manufacturing facility; batteries outside the licensed scope or produced at an unlicensed plant are not covered and will be detained at port on a scope mismatch.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-18. Source: BIS / CPCB / Indian Customs CUSDATA.